<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., for the quarterly
periods ended March 22, 1999 and March 23, 1998, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000                       
                                                                            
<S>                             <C>                           <C>           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                         3-MOS         
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   JAN-03-2000                   DEC-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                      DEC-29-1998                   DEC-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                        MAR-22-1999                   MAR-23-1998
<CASH>                                    3,636                         3,867
<SECURITIES>                                  0                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                             2,117<F1>                      2,827<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                  0                             0
<INVENTORY>                               2,035                         2,114
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         11,861                        14,662
<PP&E>                                   77,162                        86,181
<DEPRECIATION>                           51,903                        44,445
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          100,171                       113,676
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    18,824                        25,542
<BONDS>                                  28,853                        28,894
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0                             0
<PREFERRED>                                   0                             0
<COMMON>                                     73                            73
<OTHER-SE>                               43,424                        50,756
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            100,171                       113,676
<SALES>                                  30,153                        35,159
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         31,713                        37,003
<CGS>                                    28,444                        31,634
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            31,815                        35,316
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           (172)                         (139)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              0                            63
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        1,181                         1,369
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          (1,111)                          394
<INCOME-TAX>                                  0                             0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      (1,111)                          394
<DISCONTINUED>                                0                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0                             0
<CHANGES>                                     0                             0
<NET-INCOME>                             (1,111)                          394
<EPS-PRIMARY>                             (0.02)                         (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                             (0.02)                         (0.01)
<FN>
<F1> Receivables consist of--
     Accounts Receivable - net       $    1,788                     $    2,183
     Notes Receivable - net                 329                            644
                                     -----------------------------------------
     Total                           $    2,117                     $    2,827
                                     =========================================
</FN>
        

</TABLE>